False dawns, raising expectations and preserving records - how Town bosses past fared in opening games

Paul Lambert takes charge of his first Ipswich Town game this weekend, following in the footsteps of Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy and Joe Royle

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Ahead of Paul Lambert’s first game as Ipswich Town boss, ANDY WARREN looks at how recent Blues managers fared in their opening matches in charge

George Burley meets the fans at Portman Road ahead of the game with Arsenal in December 1994

Burley was on the bench for the game but it was caretaker Paul Goddard who picked the team.

George Burley

December 31, 1994 – lost 4-1 v Everton (Premiership)

The legendary player, who was part of Sir Bobby Robson’s great Ipswich sides of the 1970s and 80s, returned to Portman Road as manager with the Blues deep in relegation trouble.

He replaced John Lyall following a controversial departure from Colchester and was introduced to the Ipswich crowd before the 2-0 home loss to Arsenal on December. While the history books say Burley’s reign had already begun, it was caretaker Paul Goddard who picked the Ipswich side that night.

His first official game at the helm came three days later at Goodison Park where a side including the likes of John Wark, Frank Yallop and Craig Forrest were beaten 4-1.

Paul Rideout scored a brace between Duncan Ferguson and Dave Watson goals, after Steve Sedgley had given Burley’s side the lead.

Ipswich ultimately fell through the relegation trap door that season by Burley soon ensured his side were regular promotion contenders before winning the Division One Play-Off Final in 2000, taking the Blues back to the top flight and subsequently into Europe.

Joe Royle’s first game in charge of Ipswich Town saw him tasked with defending a proud 30-game unbeaten home record in European competition, masterminded by Sir Bobby Robson and then added to by George Burley.

He took over a side 17th in the second tier following Burley’s departure but managed to lead his side to a 1-0 victory over the Czech side thanks to Darren Bent’s strike in the 69th minute.

The unbeaten record had successfully been stretched to 31, (which has been untroubled for 16 years and you imagine will stand for the foreseeable future), and Royle was off and running.

His first league game was less successful though, as Crystal Palace were 2-1 victors at Portman Road the following Sunday.

Jim Magilton celebrates Nicky Forster's goal in his first game in charge. Picture: SIMON PARKER

But the Blues were ultimately beaten by Crystal Palace. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT

Jim Magilton

August 5, 2006 – lost 2-1 v Crystal Palace (Championship)

There was a sense of expectation in the air as iconic former player Magilton took to the dugout for the first time as manager.

New signings Alex Bruce and Dan Harding both started in front of a loud Portman Road crowd and the early signs were good as Nicky Forster fired the Blues into the lead.

However, Jobi McAnuff equalised in the second half before, three minutes later, former Ipswich striker James Scowcroft scored the winner for the Eagles.

The Blues ultimately finished 14th in Magilton’s first season in charge before climbing to eighth in the following campaign. Magilton was fired the following April just days after a 3-2 victory over Norwich (the last time Ipswich beat their rivals) and was replaced by Roy Keane.

Roy Keane led his side into action for the first time at Cardiff.
Picture: Ashley Pickering

The Manchester United legend was installed almost immediately following Jim Magilton’s departure and made the best possible start.

The 3-0 victory at Cardiff, which came thanks to goals from Pablo Counago, David Norris and Jon Stead, and the 2-1 victory over Coventry on the final day of the season raised expectations levels to the extreme as Keane returned for his first full season as Ipswich boss.

However, he failed to win any of his first 14 league games at the start of the following campaign before a 1-0 success over Derby on October 31, before the ship was steadied and the Blues finished 15th.

He was sacked the following season and replaced by Paul Jewell.

Paul Jewell led Ipswich Town for the first time at Millwall. Picture: ARCHANT

Ipswich were beaten 2-1 by Millwall in Paul Jewell's first game. Picture: PAGEPIX

Paul Jewell

January 15, 2011 – lost 2-1 v Millwall (Championship)

Jewell’s arrival was proudly announced on a big screen set up outside Portman Road prior to the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Arsenal, which was overseen by caretaker Ian McParland.

Jewell got down to business at The Den the following Saturday and, like Burley and Magilton before him, saw his side take the lead before ultimately ending on the losing side.

Tamas Priskin had put the Blues ahead but goals from Danny Schofield and Steve Morison ensured it was the Lions who took the points.

Jewell led Ipswich to a 13th-place finish before being fired the following October with the Blues bottom of the table.

Mick McCarthy won his first game as Ipswich manager at Birmingham. Picture: PAGEPIX

DJ Campbell scored the only goal as Ipswich Town won at Birmingham in Mick McCarthy's first game. Picture: PAGEPIX

Mick McCarthy

November 3, 2012 – won 1-0 v Birmingham (Championship)

The former Sunderland and Wolves boss began his Ipswich Town rescue mission in the best possible way as his side scrapped out a 1-0 win at St Andrew’s.

Rock bottom, five points adrift and with a squad full of loan players and short-term contracts, McCarthy had a real job on his hands but an early goal from DJ Campbell made life a whole lot easier.

The Blues, who included current captain Luke Chambers in their side, rode their luck as the hosts peppered Stephen Henderson’s goal and giant striker Nikola Zigic wasted gilt-edged chances. But the three points went home to Ipswich.

Big defeats at Crystal Palace (5-0) and Leicester (6-0) followed but McCarthy was able to guide his side away from relegation as they finished 14th, thanks largely to a run of seven wins in his 12 games prior to the start of 2013.

He took Ipswich to the play-offs in 2014/15 before a breakdown in his relationship with supporters played a part in his exit in April this year.

Town manager Paul Hurst ahead of the game against Blackburn. Picture: STEVE WALLER

There was once again a real buzz inside Portman Road as Hurst took charge of his first game after replacing Mick McCarthy, with an explosion of noise after new signing Gwion Edwards gave the hosts the lead after just five minutes.

The advantage lasted just 15 minutes (Hurst led for just 29 minutes in total in his games at Portman Road) before Danny Graham equalised, with Bradley Dack putting Tony Mowbray’s Rovers ahead just nine minutes later.

Tayo Edun grabbed a fortuitous stoppage time equaliser to rescue a point, as the home crowd left the stadium satisfied.

Hurst would go on to win just once as Ipswich manager prior to his sacking on October 25, without ever tasting success on home soil.